Trying to come up with a specific memory or to pinpoint one thought about Papaw is hard for me to accomplish. I guess my most frequent memories surround the "weekends on the farm." Which included: riding tractors, feeding cattle and hogs, crushing corn in the barnyard, riding up and down Beaver Dam creek and Sulphur Creek in Old Whitey (his feed truck), him referring to be as "old man", and loading up cattle to take to the big sale. My memories of Austin P. McNabb, my Papaw are just too many to wrangle.
- Psalm 31:19-20;24, "How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues...Be strong and take heart; all you who hope in the Lord."
You know, there are some people who come into our lives and then quickly vanish. Then, there are some that stay for a long while and they make such distinct impact or mark on our lives that we will never be the same. It is those people who help make you who you are; it is because of their influence that you have become who you are today. I stand before you today having been blessed with many people in my life who have made a lasting impact, but none made more of an impact on me in my childhood than that of Austin McNabb, my Papaw.
Today, I want to share with you 4 thoughts about the life of my Papaw, and I can only hope these words will do his life and legacy justice.
- Family: Being a part of the McNabb family is important to me. It is important to me because I have the blessing to continuing to represent a name that carries a good legacy. Papaw came from a big family; he was one of 10 brothers and sisters. I can remember asking him about his family and he loved to talk about their days living in Only, Tn and in Burchard Town, TN. Papaw loved his family dearly and each time he mentioned them you saw that love. As I said, family was important to him, we spent many hours gathered around the dinner table sharing a meal, we celebrated holidays, we geared up for the times in the summer when all the cousins from Montana would be coming in (that was when Papaw was his proudest...surrounded by all his children and grandchildren), and even when his health was in sharp decline he made a point to come with Granny to Lily's first birthday celebration. I will never forget that. Family was important to Papaw, all of his family!
- 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
- Fun: I know some of you in the audience today may be thinking, Austin never had much fun. He never took a vacation, he never even took a day off...he was a farmer, and he was always working. I want you to know I had fun with Papaw and I have seen him laugh and laugh. Fun for Papaw was on a night when protecting his newly picked crop of corn that I shot 2 raccoons with one shot! Fun for him was listening to the Grand Ole Opry on a Saturday night. Fun for him was also attending a family reunion or celebration. Yes, Papaw was a hard worker and some might say a "self-made" man, yet he took delight in many things. Maybe like the day we spend flooding groundhogs out of their dens to keep them from ruining the hay fields!
- 2 Samuel 22:2-3, "He said, The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior-from violent men you save me."
- Faith: Knowing Papaw's faith in our Lord Jesus is what gives me great comfort on days like this. Knowing that he loved Him, served Him, and lived for Him helps us to understand that Papaw's live has really just begun! I could always see Papaw's faith, he was one that lived out what he believed. I know he received great joy each time Lindsey and I would go with he and Granny to church in Coble, and I know that he was proud to profess his faith in Jesus by the life he lived. I could also see Papaw's faith shine when I told him to listen to the radio one Sunday night because I would be preaching. I still remember what he said when I called him after that sermon, "Old Man, I believe that was the best sermon I have ever heard." I know it wasn't, but his faith was glowing and he was proud. Little did he know that I would one day become a minister of the gospel and the lessons that he taught me about life and faith would fill the lessons that I now teach. Papaw's faith provided us with some great lessons on life and our relationship with Christ. His faith laid the foundation that has helped each of us get where we are today, and I am forever grateful and thankful for his faith!
- Isaiah 43:2-3, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."
- Future: Why would this word come up at the end of a man's life? Future? Austin P. McNabb born August 26th, 1925 died March 2nd, 2011, that's over 85 years on this earth, and as far as I can see he made the most of each minute. Yet, as his name is placed on that tombstone and his life is now over, the future rests in the life that he lived. There are 4 things that you can never get back: 1) The spoken word, 2) The shot arrow, 3) Time, and 4) a wasted opportunity. I want to focus on the last, I know that Papaw never wasted an opportunity. Many times we are not remembered in our birth or death, but its the life we live that people remember. Today, we honor a life well lived, it was an investment he made not only for himself but for everyone he touched. Through his death his life still speaks. Austin P. McNabb's life and influence on those he knew will live on forever. That's his future!
- So, for us this is not good bye, but it is "I will see you soon." Thanks for establishing a great legacy! We love you!
Just Thinking-
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